Coin controlled printing and vending scale



' April 28, 1936. F. MILLS 2,038,802

COIN CONTROLLED PRINTING AND VENDING SCALE Filed Aug. 15,1931 6 Sheets-Sheet l A rilZS, 1936. F. L; MILLS -2,038,802

COIN CONTROLLED PRINTING AND VENDING SCALE Filed Aug. 15, 1951 e Sheebs-Sheet 2 WaZZWZzZ% [L2 2 194 a April 28, 1936 F. L. MILLS COIN CONTROLLED PRINTING AND VENDING SCALE Filed Aug. 15, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 28, 1936. MILLS I 2,038,802

COIN CONTROLLED PRINTING AND VENDING SCALE Filed Aug. 15, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 28, 1936. F. L. MILLS 2,038,802

COIN CONTROLLED PRINTING AND VENDING SCALE I Filed Aug. 15, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 @JLJJ 292 4 V 0W- pril 28, 1936. F. 1.; MILLS 2,038,802

com CONTROLLED PRINTING AND VENDING SCALE Filed Aug. 15, 1931 6 Sheets-Shet e Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES COIN CONTROLLED PRINTING AND VENDING SCALE Fred L. Mills, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Mills u Novelty Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 15,

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a coin-controlled weighing scale of the type having a printing mechanism which co-operates'with the weighing mechanism of the scale to give a permanent printed record of the weight of the operator.

An important object of the invention is to provide, in combination with the weighing and printing mechanism of the scale, a vending mechanism which co-operates with the printing mechanism to deliver to the customer a piece of merchandise, such as a stick of gum or the like, the wrapper of which serves as a record slip or card upon which the weight of the customer is printed.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a scale of the type referred to a combined printing and vending mechanism which may be operated by the customer through a manually controlled member to obtain a printed record of his weight on the wrapper of the piece of merchandise vended.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred em-' bodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a scale embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View thereof, aportion of the casing being broken away to show the internal structure;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the weighing and printing mechanism taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a broken rear elevational view showing the printing and vending mechanism on an enlarged scale; s

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing the relation between the gum storage compartments and the 1931, Serial No. 557,296

(01. ISM-21) consisting of a printing wheel which is brought to the proper position by the weighing mechanism of the scale, together with a vending mechanism having compartments for holding a sup ply of gum sticks which are wrapped in the usual 5 manner to provide a surface for receiving from the printing wheel an impression indicating the weight of the operator. Manually operable means, which is coin-controlled, is provided for bringing a gum stick into printing position on 10 the printing wheel, said means then operating to print the figures indicating the weight of the operator upon the wrapper of the piece of gum. After printing is completed the manually operated control means releases the printed stick 15 which then is delivered to a point from which it may be removed by the operator.

In the particular embodiment shown in the drawings the vending mechanism is designed for the handling of individual sticks of gum, upon the wrappers of which are printed the figures indicating the weight of the operator. It will be understood that other types of merchandise could be vended, such as pieces of candy and the like, which readily lend themselves to being wrapped in such form as'to present a surface upon which the weight indicating numerals may be printed.

General views of the scale are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The scale includes a base II in which is contained the weighing frame which supports a weighing platform I2. The base portion of the scale is not shown in detail, inasmuch as this portion is of well-known construction. The upright portion of the scale, indicated generally by the. numeral I3, is supported on base II and contains the weighing mechanism and the printing and vending apparatus. This upright portion includes a housing consisting of a front wall l4, side walls l5, a rear wall l6, and a top wall 11. The rear wall l6, and the upper portion of front wall [4, are preferably made removable to permit of ready access to the interior of the scale. The housing walls are connected to suitable frame supports extending upwardly from the base, thereby providing a rigid frame unit for enclosing the scale mechanism.

The weighing mechanism of the scale will now be described in detail, reference for this purpose being had to Figs. 3, 4, and 7. This mechanism is mounted on a main supporting plate 18 which is secured along its opposite vertical edges to the side walls l5 of the housing. The weighing mechanism comprises: aweighing beam l9, which is fulcrumed at 2| on a block 22 carried by an integral part of cam segment 21. relation between pinion ,43 'and the teeth on plate I8; a pull rod 23, the upper end of which connects at 24 with beam l9 and the lower'end of which connects with the weighing frame in the base; a printing wheel 25 mounted for free rotation on a shaft 26; a cam segment 2], which is pivotally supported at 28 in a channel bracket 29 carried by the frame; and .means affording an operative connection between segment 2'! and the weighing beam, said means including a bracket 3| carried by beam I9, a lever 32 pivotally connected with bracket 3|, and'a roller arm 33 pivoted at one end in a bracket 34 which'is supported on plate l8.

The weight of a person on the platform is transmitted through rod '23-to weighing beam l9, this being resisted by a heavy coil spring 35 which is hung from plate I8 and which connects at its lower end through a hook 36150 the free end of beam I9.. A dashpot 31,-the piston 2 0 38 of which connectswith the weighing beam, cushions the movement of the latter to prevent injury to the mechanism when a weight is suddenly placed on the platform. v

Referring particularly to Fig. 7, shaft 26, which carries printing wheel25, is supported on plate l8, the forwardendof said shaft being journaled 'in a bearing 39 mounted in said plate, and the 'rear end of said shaft'being journaled in a bearing plate 4| which is carried by a bracket arm 42, the latter in turn being supported'from plate l8.- A pinion 43 is rigidly secured to 'shaft' fifi and meshes with a toothed rack 44 which forms A fixed rack 44 is maintained by providing apulley 45 on the rear end of shaft 26, said pulley having a weighted cord46 depending therefromwhi ch urges shaft '26 in a countenclockwisedirection,

viewing Fig. 3, thereby avoiding play between pinion 43' and rack 44. -The hub'of pulley A5 carries a projecting lip 41.which engages a similar lip 48 which projects from the hub ofprinting wheel 25. There is thus provided a connection between shaft 26 and the printingwheel, whereby the latter is turned through the medium of rack 44 to bring it into printin position; A

ribbon 49, secured to the periphery of theprinting wheel, carries typed numerals which indicate shaft 26.

the weight in pounds.

, When there is no weight on theweighing plat form, the printing wheel is so positioned that the zero number is at the top of the wheel. Cam

segment 2.! is over-balanced so that when weighjing beam 19 is lowered, it will fall to impart the required degree of. rotation to printing wheel The, lower portion of this segment carries a camarm.5l which rests on a collar 52 carried by roller arm133. A roller 53 carried on the free end of arm 33 engages the upper end'of lever '32 :the latter being ,pivotally' connected a't' 54 to-bracket'5l. One of thearms of bracket 3| carries an adjustable set screw 55 which engages a lip 56 carried by one of the arms of lever 32.

-A coilspring 51, extending between lever 32 and bracket 31, serves to hold lip 56 against the lower end of set-screw 55. An adjustable connection is thus provided between lever 32 and bracket 3| whereby the printing wheel may beset so that its zero "position is at the top of the wheel when no weight is on the platform. Cam arm 5|, it

will be noted, is formed separately from the main body of cam segment 21'so that it may bebent "towards or away from the latter to obtain such 'adjustment'as is necessary to move the printing j of rest.

wheel through equal distances for equal increments of weight.

Considering briefly the operation of the weighing mechanism: 'When the operator steps on the weighing platform his weight lowers weighing beam 19 through the medium of rod 23, this movement being resisted by' spring 35. The

movement thus imparted to the weighing beam is V transmitted through bracket 3l and lever 32 to roller arm 33. The movement of roller arm 33 is transmitted to cam segment 21 which falls under its own weight to produce rotation of printing wheel shaft 26. V This falling or following-up movement of cam segment 21 is assisted by weighted cord46. The turning of shaft 26 is imparted through lips 41 and 48 to the printing wheel which is thus turned in a counter-clockwise direction viewing Fig. 3, an amount sufli- I weighted cord 46; V A dial 58, carried on the forward end of printing wheel shaft 26, 'may be viewed by the operator and serves to indicate when the printing wheel has come to a position As will presently appear, the'pl'inting and vending mechanisms are coin-controlled, be-

ing arranged to operate after a coin is introduced through a coin slot 59 (Fig. 1). When the dial 58 has come to rest an accurate weighing may be obtained. If the coin is introduced before the printing wheel has come to rest at its proper position, the correct weight will, of course,-not

be given.

The weight of the operator is recorded on the wrapper of a stick of gum which is dispensed with each weighing made.

A plate 6|, which affords a support for the printing and vending mechanism, issecured at'its lower end by bolts '62 to a cross-bar 63 which ex-' tends between the side wallsof the housing. A

bed plate 64 extends forwardly from plate 5i adjacent the top of printing wheel 25.

of gum storage magazines or compartments 65 and 66.

7 These compartments may be made of sheet metal which may be'bent to form a channel- 7 The mechanism which 3 brings the stick of gum into position for printing will now be described, reference being had to'Figs, .4-7.

Extending upwardly from either side of this plate are a pair shaped container, the outer face of which is p-artially open to permit of ready access to the sticks contained therein. The magazines are secured at their rear edges to a plate 61 which in turn is bolted to the main supporting plate 6| A reciprocating shifter or transfer plate 68 is interposed between the lower ends of the gum compartments and theupper face of plate 64, the forward edge of the latter being bent inwardly, as indicated at 69, to provide a guide for plate 68. provided with a pair of rectangular openings H Plate 58 and 12 which-alternately come intoregistry with r the lowerends of the magazines 65 and 6%, re

spectively,

stroke.

The sticks of gum indicated at 73 are stacked in the magazine holders, being so arranged therein when plate 68 is at the "end of its that when one of the openings in plate 68 is moved beneath the magazine the lowermost stick will fall into said opening. This 'is shown in Fig. 6, wherein the lowermost stick of the series has fallen into Opening 12 in shifter plate 68. As plate 68 is shifted to the left, viewing Figs. 5 and 6, by means presently to be described, the piece of gum in opening 12 is moved over an opening I4 in plate 64, this opening being positioned directly opposite the top of printing wheel 25. As the stick falls into opening 14 it rests on a type ribbon 15 which extends over the top of the printing wheel between a storage spool 16 and a take-up spool 11, the latter being mounted, respectively, on shafts I8 and 19 which are journaled in main supporting plate 6|. It will be apparent that when shifter plate 68 is moved to the left, viewing Fig. 6, opening 12 will move. into registration with opening I4 in bed plate 64 and at the same time opening 7| will be moved beneath magazine 65 to receive the lowermost stick therein. This shifting of the sticks is repeated in the reverse direction when. shifter plate 68 moves to the right. The sticks are thus alternately transferred from one and then from the other of the storage compartments into position for printing on wheel 25.

Manually operable means is provided for actuating plate 68 to effect transfer of the sticks from the storage magazines into printing position on wheel 25. This mechanism is shown in elevation in Fig. 4 and in top plan in Fig. 5. It comprises: a. shaft 8|, mounted for free rotation in a pair of lugs 82 and 83 projecting rearwardly from plate 6|; a link 84 having pin and slot connection at 85 with shifter plate 68, and pivotally connected at 86 to a bracket 81 projecting rearwardly from plate 6|; a pair of cam studs 88 and 89 mounted, respectively, on collars 9| and 92, which are secured to shaft 8|; and a forked cam plate 93 mounted on link 84 and having arms 94 and 95 for engaging, respectively, with cam studs 88 and 89.

As shown in Fig. 10, cam studs 88 and 89 are positioned at 180 relative to one another on shaft 8|, so that when the latter is turned through a half revolution in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 10, stud 89 will sweep over cam arm 95 to shift link 84 to the left, viewing Fig. 5. The movement of shifter plate 68 thus effected is sufficient to move one of the sticks from magazine 66 into printing position over the printing wheel. Similarly, when shaft 8| is advanced another half revolution, cam stud 88 engages cam arm 94 to move shifter plate 68 in the reverse direction, this movement serving to transfer one of the sticks from magazine 65 into printing position at the top of the printing wheel. A stick is thus brought into printing position each time shaft 8| is turned through 180.

One end of shaft 8| projects through a side wall I5 to receive a hand piece 96 which is rigidly secured thereto and which is grasped by the operator standing on the platform to operate the vending mechanism.

The printing mechanism, which is also operated through hand piece 96 and shaft 8| will now be described, reference being had to Fig. '7. The printing mechanism consists of an impression hammer 91 which is suspended by a coil spring 98 from a bracket 99, the latter in turn being supported on plate 6|. An actuating arm pivoted at N32 to a lug I63 (Fig. projecting rearwardly from plate 6|, extends through a slot or opening in hammer 91 and has a lost play connection with said hammer through the medium of a pin I84 which is carried in the end of arm |0| and which extends through elongated slots I05 formed in the sides of hammer 91. A pair of coil springs I06 (Figs. 5 and '7), extending between the upper end of the hammer and the projecting ends of pin I84, afford a yielding connection between the forward end of arm NH and hammer 91.

Continuing the reference to Fig. 7, the impression hammer is shifted from the inactive position shown by the solid lines to active printing position, represented by the dotted lines, by means of a pair of cam studs I01 carried by a collar |08 which is rigidly secured to shaft 8|. These cam studs are positioned at 180 relative to one another and are arranged to strike a shouldered surface portion I09 of arm ||J| to force the latter downwardly, which in turn shifts the impression hammer to printing position, this being clearly shown in Fig. '7. It will be evident that each time shaft 8| is turned through a half revolution one or the other of studs I01 will strike arm ||l| to actuate the hammer. As arm |8| moves to horizontal position, stud I81 rides over the shouldered portion 89 to allow the impression hammer and arm I 6| to be lifted to inactive position by spring 98. It may be added that cam studs |0'| are so positioned on shaft 8| relative. to studs 88 and 89 that they do not actuate arm I8 I, and in turn the impression hammer, until shifter plate 68 has been moved to bring the stick into printing position.

Release means is provided for dropping a printed stick from printing wheel 25 upon completion of the printing operation. This means, which is also operated from the manually-controlled shaft 8|, is shown in Figs. 5 and 9. It comprises: an arm rest I, pivoted at M2 to the under face of bed plate 64; a lever l3, fulcrumed at M on a bracket I5 projecting rearwardly from plate 6|; a link H6 extending between one end of arm rest HI and the lower end of lever 3; and a pair of cam projections formed on a collar |8 which is rigid on shaft 8 I. A coil spring 9 extending between arm rest Ill and a fixed point on bed plate 84 normally holds said rest in the position shown in Fig. 5, so that its free end 2| extends under the forward end of opening 14 in bed plate 64. In this position, portion |2| of the rest engages and supports the forward end of the gum stick which rests in printing position on wheel 25. Uponcompletion of the printing operation one of the cam projections I ll strikes the end of lever ||3 which in turn pivots to draw link ||6 rearwardly. This movementof link ||6 pivotes arm rest III in a'counter-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 5, sufficiently to remove the portion |2| from beneath the forward end of the gum stick. Since the major portion of the stick extends forwardly from printing wheel 25, it is greatly over-balanced upon removal of arm rest Ill and immediately gravitates into a tray I22 which is supported in and extends through front wall M, an opening |23 being provided therein through which the stick may beremoved by the operator. Cam projections IT are so positioned on shaft 8| that they will actuate the release means immediately after the printing of the stick has been effected.

The vending, printing, and release mechanisms, all of which pass through a complete cycle of operations for each half revolution of shaft 8|, are arranged to be coin-controlled through the provision of a coin-operated latch which controls the rotation of shaft 8|. This latch mechanism includes means for applying a brake to the printing wheel to hold it in proper position for printing, together with a latch device for controlling the rotation of shaft 8|.

This mechanism is shown in Figs. 4, 7, and 8. It comprises:- a stopwheel I24, rigid on shaft 8I1and provided with diametria cally opposed stoprlugs I25; a latch lever I26 which'ispivoted at I2I- to a frame piece I 28 supported from plate 6!; a brake arm I29 pivoted at I3I to a frame piece'supported by plate 6| and 21.

. I43 which is held in engagement with the teeth latch I32, pivoted at I33 to frame piece I28;

. Brake arm'l29 is forked'or bifurcated at its forward end to provide a pair of fingers I34 (Fig.

6) having a rubber covering. I35 around their its upper end to latch lever I26, normally'holds the parts in the position shown by solid lines in Fig. 4. In this position of .the parts, the upper end of'latch' lever I25 engages one of the stop lugs I 25 to prevent rotation of shaft 8!. Reverse rotation of this shaft is prevented by a. pawl arm of wheel I24Jby a coilspring I44. 'When a'coin is inserted through coin slot 59, it is directed by a coin chute (not shown onto a rod I45 'carried by coin latch I32. The weight of j the coin shifts latch I32 into the position shown by the dotted lines 1 in Fig 4, thereby releasing brake arm I29, which is. immediately pivoted into the braking position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7 by a coil spring I46, which extends between said arm'and bar 53, and which tends to pivot the arm in a counter-clockwisedirection, viewing fig. '7. 'The printing wheel is thus held against rotation by brake arm I29 during the printing operation. As soon as'brake arm I29 pivots into brakingposition, latch lever I26 is free to be pivoted by spring I42 in a counter-clockwise direction to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4, 'this'movement serving to free stop wheel I24 to permit rotation of shaft 8!.

The parts remain in the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4 until shaft 8| approaches the end of a half turn, at which'time an adjustable set screw I41,'carried on the lower end of the hmner-actuating arm IIlI, moves upwardly, as

' indicated in Fig. 7 to strike against a set-screw i48 which projects laterally from brake arm I29. The latter is thus raised against the tension of spring I45sufficientlyto fall back into latched position on shoulder I 39. This movement of brake arm. I29 in turn pivots latch lever .526 into'position to engage one of the stop lugs I25, this movement being effected by reason of the engagement between parts I31 and I38. The coin latch and "brake mechanism is thus restored to itsinitial position after having allowed a half revolution of shaft8l. a

Referring to Fig. 6, the type ribbon 15 is wound up on take-up spool, 11 a slight amount each time plate 68 is moved to the right. This is effected by a leaf spring 149 which depends from the under surfaceof plate 68 and which engages teeth I5! on spool I? to turn the latter a slight'amount each time plate 68 moves to the right. When plate 68 is positioned t} the left far enough to allow spring I8 2? to clear teeth I I, the ribbon may be re-wound V i on spoolIE by turning a finger piece I52 (Fig. 5)

carried onshaft I8.

It .is believed that a-ibrief statement'of the sequence of operation of-the various-parts of the vending, printing, and release means will aid to aclearer-understanding of the invention. Assuming that the operator has stepped on the platform andthat printing wheel 25 has come to rest with the number representing the weight of the person at the top of the wheel, this being indicated by the fact that the dial 58 no longer oscil-. lates,,the operator inserts a coin in coin slot 59. As the coin-strikes rod I45 (Fig. 4) latch I32 is freed from brake arm I29, which immediately clamps the printing wheel in printing position, and at the same'time latch lever I26 is moved clear of stop wheel I24. The operator then grasps hand piece 96 and proceeds to turn it in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 7. As shaft 9! is turned, cam stud'89 (Fig. 5) moves upwardly on cam plate 95 to shift plate 68 to the left, the result of this operation being to transpose the lowermost stick in magazine 66' to printing posi-. tion in the opening I4 in bed plate 64. Immediately upon the positioning of the stick on the printing wheel, printing is effected by engage:

merit of one of the'cam studs I9? (Fig. '7) with shoulder portion I99 on arm I9 I, the latter being thus lowered to move impression hammer 91 against the stick which lies in opening I4 on the top of the printing Wheel. The lowering of arm 'ltlserves to re-set latch lever I26 by reason of the engagement'between set-screw I4I, carried 7 on the lower end of arm It'll, and screw I48 car'- ried by brake arm I29. Latch lever I26 being thus returned to obstructing position, will engage the succeeding stop I when a half revolution 'of shaft'fil has been completed. a

Referring particularly to Fig. '7, as soon as shaft Si has. been turned far enough to cause stud IDI to clear shoulder portion I09, the impression hammer is lifted to inactive position by spring 98. As soon as the impression hammer is thus removed the stick isreleased by the shifting of arm rest Iii from beneath the forward end thereof, this being effected by engagement-of one 'of'the cam projections I41 (Fig. 9) with lever II3, the

' latter connecting through link I I6 with arm rest III. The printed stick then falls into tray I22 where it may be removed by the operator. J

' The mechanism thus provides means for vending an article of merchandise each time a weighing is made, at the same time giving the operator a printed record of his weight on the wrapper of the merchandise which he obtains. The construction of the vending and printing mechanism is greatl'y'simplified by reason of the fact V that the mechanism is arranged to be manually operated. Shaft 81, which is turned by hand piece 96, carries the various cams whichoperate the. different portions of the printing, vending, and release mechanisms. 'There is little chance 'of faulty operation since a minimum of parts is employed and since the movements of the several parts are accurately timed relative to one another through shaft 8|.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and

no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art. r

'What I regard asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i '7 V 1. In a weight printing and vending scale, the

combination of printing mechanism including impression hammer, a printing wheel, and means operated by'the weighing mechanism of the scale for positioning said wheel, vending mechanism comprising a container for holding a supply of articles of merchandise, the latter being wrapped to provide a surface for receiving a printed impression of the weight, and means for transferring the articles from said container into printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; and coin-controlled means for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer.

2. In a weight printing and vending scale, the combination of: printing mechanism including an impression hammer, a printing wheel, and means operated by the weighing mechanism of the scale for positioning said wheel; vending mechanism comprising a container for holding a supply of articles of merchandise, the latter being wrapped to provide a surface for receiving a printed impression of the weight, and means for transferring the articles from said container into printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; and coin-controlled means including a shaft and a member whereby the same may be manually rotated for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer.

3. In a weight printing and'v'ending scale, the combination of printing mechanism including an impression hammena printing wheel, and means operated by the weighing mechanism of the scale for positioning said wheel; vending mechanism comprising a container for holding a supply of articles of merchandise, the latter being Wrapped to provide a surface for receiving a printed impression of the weight, and means for transferring the articles from' said container into printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; release means including a movable support for holding the article adjacent the wheel during the interval of printing; and coincontrolled means for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer andsaid release means;

4. In a weight printing and vending scale, the combination of printing mechanism including an impression hammer, a printing wheel, and means operated by the weighing mechanism of the scale for positioning said wheel; vending mechanism comprising a container for holding a supply of articles of merchandise, the latter being wrapped to provide a surface for receiving a printed impression of the weight, andmeans for transferring the articles from said container into printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; release means including a movable support for holding the article adjacent the wheel during the interval of printing; and coin-controlled means including a shaft and a member whereby the same may be manually rotated for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer and said release means.

5. In a weight printing and vending scale, the combination of: a weighing platform; a printing wheel; means operated by movement of the platform for positioningsaid wheel; an impression hammer disposed adjacent the wheel; a container for holding a supply of articles of merchandise disposed adjacent the wheel on either side of the impression hammer, said articlesbeing wrapped to provide a surface for receiving a printed impression of the weight; means for alternately transferring an article from one and'then from the other of said containers into printing, position between said wheel and theimpression hammer;

and coin-controlled means for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer.

6. In a weight printing and vending scale, the combination of: a weighing platform; aprinting wheel; means operated by movement of the plat-v form for positioning said wheel; an impression hammer disposed adjacent the wheel; a container for holding a supply of articles of merchandise disposed adjacent the wheel on either side of the impression hammer, said articles being wrapped to provide a surface for receiving a printed impression of the weight; means for alternately transferring an article from one and then from the other of said containers'into printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; release means including a movable support for holding the article adjacent the wheel during the interval of printing; and coin-controlled means for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer. and said release means.

7. In a weight printing and vending scale, the combination of: a weighing platform; a printing wheel; means operated by movement of the platform for positioning said wheel; an impression hammer disposed adjacent the wheel; a storage container for articles of merchandise disposed adjacent the wheel on either side of the imprese sion hammer; a bed plate positioned between the wheel and the hammer and having an opening therein opposite the hammer; 1a shifter plate movably supported between said bed plate and the discharge ends of said containers, said plate having openings therein for receiving the articles; means for actuating said shifter plate to alternately transfer an article from one and then from the other of said containers into printing posi tion between said hammer and theprinting-wheel; and coin-controlled means for operating said plate actuating means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer.

8. In a weight printing and vending scale, the combination of: a weighing platform; a printing wheel; means operated by movement of the platform for positioning said wheel; an impression hammer disposed adjacent the wheel; a storage container for articles of 'merchandise disposed adjacent the wheel on either side of the impression hammer; a bed plate positioned between the wheel and the hammer and having an opening therein opposite the hammer; a shifter plate movably supported between said bed plate and the discharge ends of said containers, said plate having openings therein for receiving the articles; means for actuating said shifter plate to alternately transfer an article from one and then from the other of said containers into printing position between said hammer and the printing wheel; and a coin-controlled manually rotatable shaft having cam means thereon for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer. T

' 9. In a weight printing and vending scale; the combination of printing mechanism including an impressionhammer, a printing wheel, and means operated by the weighing mechanism of the scale for positioning said wheel; vending mechanism comprising a container for holding-a supplyof articles of merchandise, the latter'being wrapped to provide a surface for receiving a printed impression of the weight, and means for transferring the articles from said container into print ing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; and a coin-controlled manually rotatable shaft having cam means thereon for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer.

10. In a weight printing and vending scale, the'combination of printing mechanism including an impression hammer,a printing wheel, and

means operated by the weighing mechanism of the scale for positioning said wheel; vending mechanism comprising a container for holding a supply of articles of merchandise, the latter being wrapped to provide a surface for receiving a printed impression of, the weight, and means for transferring the articles from said container into printing position between said wheel; means operated'by movement of the platformfor positioning said wheel; an impression hammerdisposed adjacent the wheel; vending mechanism comprising a container for holding a supply of articles of merchandise, the latter beingwrapped to provide a surface for receivinga printed impression of the weight, and means-for transferring the articles from said container into printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; a manually rotatablelshaft having cam means thereon for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer; and a latch device adapted to be'actuated by a coin to permit actuation of said manually-operablemeans.

12. In a weight printing and vending scale, the

' combination of: a weighing platform; a printing wheel; means operated by movement of the platform for positioning said wheel; an impression hammer disposed adjacent the wheel; vending mechanism comprising a container for holding a supply of articles of merchandise, the latter being wrapped to provide asurface for receiving a printed impression of the weight, and means for transferring the articles from said container into' printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; a manually rotatable shaft having cam means thereon for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer; and coin-controlled means for regulating rotation of said shaft comprising a stop member rotatable with said shaft, a latch for engaging said stop member to prevent rotation of the shaft, and a coinoperated release member for moving said latch to non-obstructing position." 7

' 13. In a weight printing and vending scale, the combination of: a weighing platform; a printing wheel; means operated by movement of the platform for positioning said wheel;;an impres-' sion hammer disposed adjacent the wheel; vend-' ing mechanism comprising a container for holding-asupply of articles of merchandise, the latter beingiwrapped to provide a' surface for receiving' a printed impression of the weight, and means for transferring the articles from said container into printing position between said wheel and theimpression hammer; release means including a movable support for holdingthe article adjacent the wheel during the interval of printing; a manually rotatable shaft havingrcam means thereon for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression ham- 'ter against. rotation during ,the interval mer and said release means; anda'latch device adapted to be actuated by a coin to permit r being wrapped to provide a surface for receiv ing a printed impression of the weight, and means for transferring the articles fromlsaid I container into printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; release means including a ,movable support for holding the article adjacent the wheel during the interval of printing; a manually rotatable shaft having cam means thereon for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression hammer and said release means; a

latch device adapted to be actuated by a coin to 1 permit rotation of'said shaft; and brake means forengaging the printing wheel to hold the latof printing. a w

15, In a.weight printing andivending scale, the

combination of: a weighing platform; a a printingwheelrmeans operated by movementlof theplatform for positioning said wheel; an impression hammer disposed adjacent the wheel; vending mechanism comprising a container for holding a; supply of articles of merchandise, the latter being wrapped, to provide a surface for receiving a transferring the articles from said container into printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; manually operable means for operating said, transfer means and subsequently actuating: the impression hammer; a latch device adapted to be actuated by acoin to permit actuation, of said 'manually operable means; and brake means for. engaging the printing; wheel to hold the latter in fixed position during the interval of printing, said means having operative'connection with said coin-:operable latch whereby operation of the latter throws said brake means to operative positionragainst the wheel.

16. In a weight printing and vending scale, the

combination of: a. Weighing platform; a printing wheel; ,means operated by movementof the platform for positioning said wheel; an impression hammer disposed adjacent the wheel; vending mechanism comprising a container for holdingar supply of articles of merchandise, the latter being wrapped to provide a surface for receiving a printed impression of the weight and means for transferring the articles from said container into printing position between said wheel and the impression hammer; releasemeans including'a'movable supportfor holding the article against the wheel during the interval of printing; coin-con-- trolled means for operating said transfer means and subsequently actuating the impression'ham mer and said release means; and brake means for engaging the printing wheel to hold the latter against rotation during the interval of printing;

hammer, and coin-controlled means for actuating said impression hammer, said means including an actuating member provided with means whereby the same may be manually operated to effect positive actuation of said coin-controlled means.

18. In a coin-controlled weighing and vending machine, the combination of a magazine adapted to contain a quantity of Wrapped articles to be vended, weighing mechanism, printing mechanism, and coin-controlled means for transferring said wrapped articles from said magazine to a printing station and for subsequently actuating said printing mechanism, said means including an actuating member provided with means whereby the same may be manually operated to effect positive actuation of said coincontrolled means, and said printing mechanism including an element operable by the weighing mechanism for causing the weight of a person being weighed by the latter to be printedupon the wrapper of said article.

19. In a coin-controlled weighing and vending machine, the combination of a magazine adapted to contain a'quantity of wrapped articles to be vended, weighing mechanism, printing mechanism, and a coin-controlled shaft provided with a member permitting manual rotation thereof, said shaft having means thereon, operative upon rotation of the shaft, for transferring said wrapped articles from said magazine to a printing station and for actuating said printing mechanism, and said printing mechanism including an element operable by the weighing mechanism for causing the weight of a person being weighed by the latter to be printed upon the wrapper of said article.

FRED L. MILLS. 

